The four systems are analyzed and compared primarily by letter form simplification, printed and cursive capital letter forms, disjoined and joined letter forms, superscript and subscript letter or number forms (or both), capital and small letters or symbols (or a combination of these) used as abbreviations, nonalphabetic symbols, and phrasing or combinations of symbols. System 1 is the most complex because it uses the most capital letter and nonalphabetic forms for unique system meaning. System 2 has 7 capital, 12 small letter, and 5 nonalphabetic forms with specific system meaning. It also uses 13 small letter forms for simplification. System 3 has a different approach in that it does not require any change in the writer's normal writing style and does not require memorizing a new alphabet. System 4, a rapid writing system, designates 11 small letter forms for simplification, and 4 have multiple forms. The system has 2 capital and 27 small letter forms that have a specific system meaning; it has only 2 printed, 8 disjoined, 2 superscript, and 1 subscript forms with specific meaning. Analysis of the four systems has provided enough specific differences in class characteristics to distinguish between the systems, provided an adequate quantity of writing is studied. The author believes that information about the four systems will provide a resource for questioned document examiners who may face a document problem involving alphabetic, speedwriting shorthand systems. 9 references, 7 tables, and 1 figure (Author abstract modified)